TL;CR MEME

[linkupmods]

TL;CR MEME
1) Post a top level for your character
2) Comment around to other top levels requesting for tl;cr
3) Comment to everyone who replied to your top level with tl;cr for them!

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The Princess and the Knight

[beautifulknight]

Picked out a song just now for their CR:

[♫ ]

Argenti hadn't exactly had what I would call a proper first meeting with Mafuyu, given that their initial encounter began with the dreaded meeting wherein he announced he had killed Ushirono alongside aired the dirty laundry of such a man for all to see. Her quiet reaction wasn't noticed either thanks to the quiet and everyone else yelling or otherwise demanding a majority of his attention for other reactions / speaking up, or suddenly shooting in the midst of the meeting. Though, her presence certainly was noted (OOCly, at the time I also wanted CR with Mafuyu but had fallen short in available opportunities and was like damn he wouldn't really comment here)

But, upon their true chance to acquaint themselves in Izou's Palace, Argenti came to see Mafuyu at first as a considerate, thoughtful person from the vestiges of her personality that he could glimpse even in the startingly brief interactions they had. That immediately transformed into something of him recognizing the power of Mafuyu's inner strength as she faced down Izou's Shadow without flinching, ready to engage in a difficult discussion that even that facet of Izou's cognition had struggle entertaining. Despite the consequences she faced for it, she still stood determined even after Argenti expressed his worry, ready to fight to help bring Izou back. That was, what I would say, how her immediate impression blew past a Rank 1 and soared straight into a Rank 2. He wanted to get to know her more following that, even beyond being social and easy to bring along / convince for the Lanternfam outing.

This leads next into learning about the music group Mafuyu ended up being a part of, wherein he truly resonated with the goal - their core motivation - which Argenti was touched deeply by. The fact that Mafuyu herself devoted herself unwavering to such a cause, in which such songs reach out to the souls of others, but also simultaneously help provide a pivotal raison d'etre to her own self made him reflect deeply upon their association. He once again became amazed by not only her inner strength, but the integrity of her character, as well as a glimpse to perhaps that there was something else hidden underneath the surface (—they're... what keeps me going, I think. I'm scared to go home—) that made him worry. He is someone who catches onto little things that people say, who listens closing—and so knowing that something may trouble her about her home life instilled within him also a desire to protect her. From what?

All that would dare try to hurt her. This conversation was pivotal for that very reason, from the easy-going nature to it - the heart-warming aspect - and the threads that there was something else worrying underneath that quiet veneer of kind, impactful, quiet drive.

Next I wished to address was the nature of Argenti's own Palace to consider - that, despite everything, I can say he never thought Mafuyu would have dared to come for him (he didn't think anyone should have, for that matter) He never thought that he gave her any impetus behind the decision whatsoever. Though her being there solidified to him the current state of their bond, as well as deepened it irrevocably. Furthermore, what helped in that was the fact that she understood very well that underneath that well-composed side that a part of him remained that remained in an extremely pained and fractured state (...Because I'm broken, too. So I can see truths others never will... and forgive things that others won't.)

Argenti's fears, his imperfect memory of childhood that is half submerged or buried due to trauma, his canon despair that he will fail Idrila's Trials enough that he'd become an Omen of Evil, and the implication by his Aeon that latent evil exists in every single person meaning he is not above it all. That his failures thus far have facilitated such evils (failure to break free from Ena's dream, even if it was right to kill Ushirono from his perspective him breaking harmony is a failure on his part, failure to rescue Jordi from his death, failure to resist the God of Conflict's corruption-) and if he is not able to reflect the perfection of his goddess, what does it say about him who has strayed from the Path? Being a Knight of Beauty who unwaveringly spreads Beauty and upholds successfully, flawlessly the code of chivalry is who he is. How can anyone love him as he is without those qualities? When all that is left is just a broken shell of a man who never had a real childhood? At this time when Mafuyu said she understood how broken he is, Argenti couldn't accept it (just like he couldn't accept anyone who said he could still be beautiful, who can still be loved, because he didn't think he was) but it still touched him. It meant so much to him even if he was still hurting.

(Even the Beast returned to his true form with love. What makes you so different?

Humans are ugly, imperfect creatures. That's what makes us wonderful. So please... come home, because you are so very loved.)

Mafuyu accepted this imperfect self unequivocally while telling him of her love for him, unwavering for each step of the way. He remembered this, even in vague terms, and this strengthened their bonds to something incredibly solid on what I'd argue to be both ends. Such that when it was all over and done even from the fading of some memories of the Palace, noticing that Mafuyu suffered great damage made him concerned deeply of any further psychological scars (and remember, he wanted to protect her, so the fact that he couldn't here made those regrets simmer even if the onset of darkness did not come back)

Though the worry came true in the form of the God of Conflict exploiting whatever ones that already lay festering beneath the surface for Mafuyu. Of course he had been overly concerned, ready to leap at the prospect of rescuing her - venturing deep into the thorny pathway of her Palace with others, he discovered the depth of her struggles. The understandable and knowable pressure to be perfect or face consequences, the unfortunate knowledge that her mother treated her so twistedly, and the depths of her own despair, the feeling of helplessness in the face of it all. Yet he never looked away from that broken side of her who felt shattered in pieces; she did the same for him, loved him for who he was deep inside, and he did the same for her. Every step of the way.

He affirmed that it was not the perfect young lady he has come to care about as a dear friend, as he has seen as someone who can be an individual who is allowed to fail. To feel like any normal person, to have parts of them cast in shadow, to be allowed to cry and laugh, trip and fall, make mistakes, experience sorrows that leave them hollowed out, but still mean they are worth caring for who they are as a person.

Then, the strength of this platonic bond between them intensified, with the fact she was the one to reassure him in Atem's Palace of Fray's state even if it took more than that to wash away the illusion. Her presence undoubtedly appreciated when she dared to arrive in said place at all as well.

But, even if this solidified the nature of their bond - upon which to him felt like he could certainly consider her as someone a part of family (though him lacking any in so long he wouldn't know in what way) - what felt representative of their progress was when they worked together on a little new hobby for both of them. Knitting, wherein there was a short moment wherein Mafuyu confided to him her worries in taking a new outlook in her approach in things and about her state of mind, wherein Argenti reassured her. Not due to just simply saying things because he can, but because he too expressed understanding in those worries. But, he also let her know that she will not be alone in this.

And, as always, he will be there for her in his own way, unafraid to look out for her.

Anyway, that's about it for their CR. I enjoyed being able to bounce their interactions off of each other - in some ways I feel like they understood each other well because of the fact they had similarities in one or two ways (but majorly so) and I am grateful for being able to get major CR with you in a game, Amity :3